License information missing for boot/ files

[agraf]

The boot/ directory contains a few files that have their license described in /README.md, but most of the files are not covered by any license and there is no explicit "fallback" license for the overall project.

Please either provide a project fallback license or explicitly mention the licensing terms for all boot/ files (like overlays, dtbs, etc).

[pelwell]

/modules, /debug, /extra (except dt-blob.dts), the dtbs, overlays and associated README are built from source files in the kernel tree, and are covered by the same licence as the kernel images. /extra/dt-blob.dts and documentation/ilcomponents are, like the start.elfs, covered by LICENCE.broadcom.

I think this should cover all files now, but let me know if there are still omissions.

README.md will be updated accordingly.

[pelwell]

See PR #938.

[agraf]

I think with the updated text, all "fixup*.dat" files are still not covered, right?

"loader.bin" does not appear in the /boot directory for me. I assume that file used to exist and got removed?

As for all GPL licensed files (kernel, dtbs, overlays) you need to refer to the exact code that produced these binaries. I assume that means you'll have to note the sha1 hash of your own kernel tree every time you update them. Also, are you 100% sure the overlays are generated from your kernel tree? Can you point me to the exact location?

Thanks!

[afaerber]

I think with the updated text, all "fixup*.dat" files are still not covered, right?

...as already pointed out in my merged #498 commit back in 2015. ;)

[pelwell]

You're right about the wildcard, fixup*.dat and loader.bin - I'll fixup dat. @afaerber I don't know how your change got lost - don't take it personally. 8-)

I don't feel we have to refer to the exact code that produced the GPLd binaries - it is all in the Linux source tree (apart from the C compiler), and that should be enough. And yes I am 100% sure the overlays are in our kernel tree - see https://github.com/raspberrypi/linux/tree/rpi-4.9.y/arch/arm/boot/dts/overlays/ (the dtb sources are one level up).

[agraf]

Thanks!